ANTHROPOLOGY 102: MIDTERM EXAM WITH ANSWERS
I. How might the social units of primates affect sexual dimorphism?
-Social units of primates may affect sexual dimorphism by the fact that when it
comes to sexual dimorphism it is a difference in appearance between both sexes. But,
when it comes to social units, they want it to be discrete, and having sexual dimorphism
does not help.
II. Do apes learn their behaviors…or are they innate abilities? Be sure that your
answer includes examples to illustrate your point.
-I think Apes learn their behaviors because they learn from one another.
During my research for the Zoo project, I saw a video of a primate teaching her baby
how to use the Stick Method for food. Due to this, it a cycle that is passed down. And in
all honesty, it applies to most species.
III. What was your favorite non-human primate species that you observed at the
zoo? Why did you enjoy watching them?
- I was not able to go to the zoo, but I was able to do research, and I actually
liked many of them because they were all so different in their own way. But, the gorilla
was cool to learn about because I would have never thought that they were actually
kind, and peaceful. But, that is due to them being portrayed on screen as very
aggressive animals.
IV. List and briefly describe the subfields of anthropology. Give an example of a
research problem or the type of research that a specialist in each of these
subfields would study.
-There are 4 subfields of Anthropology, which are, Linguistic, Cultural,
Archaeology, and Physical/Biological. In Linguistic Anthro, researchers study human
speech, and language. In, Cultural Anthro, researchers study aspects of human behavior
from all over the world.Then there is Archaeology, which is the study of the past, the
ways of life, and this is done through fossils, interpretation, analysis. Lastly, there is
Physical and Biology, which is the study of human biology within their evolution.
V. If a physical anthropologist was employed in a job which investigated crime
scene situations involving skeletal remains, which of the subfields of physical
, ANTHROPOLOGY 102: MIDTERM EXAM WITH ANSWERS
anthropology should he/she be familiar with? How would a background in each
of these subfields be beneficial?
-A physical anthropologist in this particular situation would be familiar with
forensic anthropology. Knowledge in the other subfields of physical anthropology would
also be beneficial since forensic anthropology requires a lengthy knowledge of other
branches of physical anthropology regardless. With a knowledge in paleopathology, the
physical anthropologist would be able to tell if the deceased died from any diseases.
VI. What is your favorite subfield of physical anthropology? Why?
-My favorite subfield of physical anthropology is genetics due to the fact that
I believe that genetics are very important. In the sense that family is huge thing, how a
family member is, it can be passed down through genetics. Such as physical
appearance, or specific characteristics.
VII. According to the video What About God?, how did the creationists explain buried
fossils? How do you feel about the biology professors they showcased who have
to profess their belief in creationism and sign a “statement of faith”?
- Creationist explained the existence of buried fossils by saying that the
fossils were somehow “placed” there. I think that some biology professors having to
profess to profess their belief in creationism and sign a “statement of faith” is absurd.
Teaching biology is a profession. For people to require that biology professor disclose
such personal information such as their faith is an encroachment of privacy.
VIII. Explain the theory of natural selection. How did the theories of early
evolutionary scholars lead to the culminating theory of natural selection?
-When it comes to Natural Selection, it is said that it is the survival of the
fittest. In the sense that all species are capable of producing offspring. Although, the
environment will determine if they are capable of them living, meaning it depends on
their traits, and some of those traits may or may not work in their favor. All the theories
led to natural selection by observing a lot, and testing their theories Yet, some scholars
were wrong such as Jean, he believed that a trait acquired in a lifetime can be passed
I. How might the social units of primates affect sexual dimorphism?
-Social units of primates may affect sexual dimorphism by the fact that when it
comes to sexual dimorphism it is a difference in appearance between both sexes. But,
when it comes to social units, they want it to be discrete, and having sexual dimorphism
does not help.
II. Do apes learn their behaviors…or are they innate abilities? Be sure that your
answer includes examples to illustrate your point.
-I think Apes learn their behaviors because they learn from one another.
During my research for the Zoo project, I saw a video of a primate teaching her baby
how to use the Stick Method for food. Due to this, it a cycle that is passed down. And in
all honesty, it applies to most species.
III. What was your favorite non-human primate species that you observed at the
zoo? Why did you enjoy watching them?
- I was not able to go to the zoo, but I was able to do research, and I actually
liked many of them because they were all so different in their own way. But, the gorilla
was cool to learn about because I would have never thought that they were actually
kind, and peaceful. But, that is due to them being portrayed on screen as very
aggressive animals.
IV. List and briefly describe the subfields of anthropology. Give an example of a
research problem or the type of research that a specialist in each of these
subfields would study.
-There are 4 subfields of Anthropology, which are, Linguistic, Cultural,
Archaeology, and Physical/Biological. In Linguistic Anthro, researchers study human
speech, and language. In, Cultural Anthro, researchers study aspects of human behavior
from all over the world.Then there is Archaeology, which is the study of the past, the
ways of life, and this is done through fossils, interpretation, analysis. Lastly, there is
Physical and Biology, which is the study of human biology within their evolution.
V. If a physical anthropologist was employed in a job which investigated crime
scene situations involving skeletal remains, which of the subfields of physical
, ANTHROPOLOGY 102: MIDTERM EXAM WITH ANSWERS
anthropology should he/she be familiar with? How would a background in each
of these subfields be beneficial?
-A physical anthropologist in this particular situation would be familiar with
forensic anthropology. Knowledge in the other subfields of physical anthropology would
also be beneficial since forensic anthropology requires a lengthy knowledge of other
branches of physical anthropology regardless. With a knowledge in paleopathology, the
physical anthropologist would be able to tell if the deceased died from any diseases.
VI. What is your favorite subfield of physical anthropology? Why?
-My favorite subfield of physical anthropology is genetics due to the fact that
I believe that genetics are very important. In the sense that family is huge thing, how a
family member is, it can be passed down through genetics. Such as physical
appearance, or specific characteristics.
VII. According to the video What About God?, how did the creationists explain buried
fossils? How do you feel about the biology professors they showcased who have
to profess their belief in creationism and sign a “statement of faith”?
- Creationist explained the existence of buried fossils by saying that the
fossils were somehow “placed” there. I think that some biology professors having to
profess to profess their belief in creationism and sign a “statement of faith” is absurd.
Teaching biology is a profession. For people to require that biology professor disclose
such personal information such as their faith is an encroachment of privacy.
VIII. Explain the theory of natural selection. How did the theories of early
evolutionary scholars lead to the culminating theory of natural selection?
-When it comes to Natural Selection, it is said that it is the survival of the
fittest. In the sense that all species are capable of producing offspring. Although, the
environment will determine if they are capable of them living, meaning it depends on
their traits, and some of those traits may or may not work in their favor. All the theories
led to natural selection by observing a lot, and testing their theories Yet, some scholars
were wrong such as Jean, he believed that a trait acquired in a lifetime can be passed
